Idaho bill would penalize not reporting bodies

BOISE – Failing to report the discovery of a dead body to authorities could become illegal in Idaho under a bill that aims to close a loophole exposed two years ago when the remains of a mother and daughter were found – years after they’d died – in a trailer still occupied by the husband and father.

A 1961 law requires people who find dead bodies to report them to the coroner or law enforcement agents, but provides no penalties if they don’t.

Rep. Mack Shirley, R-Rexburg and sponsor of the legislation, said the need to close the gap in state law was underscored by the grisly June 19, 2004, discovery of the bodies of Lorraine Kaneko, 58, and her 33-year-old daughter, Laura Kaneko, in a mobile home owned by Kenichi David Kaneko, 66, outside Rexburg.

An autopsy determined the mother had been dead at least three years and the daughter at least one, but their bodies had mummified and decomposed so it was impossible to tell the cause of death.

Law enforcement agents and family members say Kaneko has so far refused to talk about their deaths. He remains free and hasn’t been charged with a crime, the Madison County prosecutor’s office said Wednesday.

Lawmakers will debate the bill in coming weeks.